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ONE OF THE OLD GUARD 



' ONE OF 
THE OLD GUARD 



By 



CONSTANCE CAMPBELL 



y 



Copyright, 1914, by Samuel French, Limited 



New York 

SAMUEL FRENCH 

Publisher 

28-30 WEST 38TH STREET 



London 

SAMUEL FRENCH. Ltd 

26 Southampton Street 

STRAND 






©CI.D 37591 C 

JUL16I9I4 



TMP92-008791 



ONE OF THE OLD GUARD 



Produced on April i6, 1914. The Church Institute, Strand • 
on-the-Green, Chiswick. 

CHARACTERS. 

Henry Robinson . . A well-preserved, vigorous man of 

about sixty. 

Mary Robinson . . His wife, a gentle, rather cowed- 

looking woman. 

Dorothy Robinson . . His daughter. 
Muriel Robinson , , His daughter. 
Time. — The Present. 

The action takes place in Robinson's study. 



The fee for each and every representation of this play by 
Amateurs is Fifteen Shilhngs, payable in advance to — 

Messrs. Samuel French, Ltd.„ 

26 Southampton Street, 

Strand, London. 

or their authorized representatives. 

No performance may be given unless a written permission 
has first been obtained. 

All the costumes, wigs, and properties used in the perfor- 
mance of plays contained in French's list may be hired or 
purchased'reasonably from Messrs. Charles H. Fox, Ltd., 
27, Wellington Street, Strand, London. 



ONE OF THE OLD GUARD 

The action takes place in Robinson's study. The 
furniture is solid, substantial, tmcompromising, and 
was probably a wedding present to his father. There 
are some old-fashioned engravings on the walls, 
battle and hunting scenes and the like, and some 
photographs of racing-horses. There is a roll-top 
writing-table in the corner near the window, a table 
in the middle of room littered with newspapers, 
and on a small one there are glasses and spirit 
decanter. 

Muriel and Dorothy are standing one on each side 
of the fireplace. A door bangs. Dorothy stiffens 
herself, clasping her hands behind her back. Muriel 
fixes her eyes uneasily on the door, 

Muriel. Now for it ! 

Dorothy. A strong pull and a long pull ! But 
won't there be a jolly bust-up ! But united we 
stand- 

Muriel. If only mother doesn't cave in. 

Dorothy. It's now or never. What a mercy he 
wants to go into Parliament ! That'll help to put 
the screw on. 

Robinson [comes in). It's just upon eleven. The 
deputation will be round about twelve. Before 
adopting me finally as candidate, they want to be sure 
that my views are quite sound. (Rubs his hands.) 
Well, they'll stand the test all right, I've no doubt 
about that. [Sits at table c.) 

7 



8 ONE OF THE OLD GUARD. 

Dorothy (with meaning). It's a question of money, 
isn't it ? Views generally are. 

Robinson. Ha ! Ha ! That's true enough, my 
dear, when you're standing for Parhament. Sub- 
scriptions extracted for every blessed society and 
institution in the place ; from the home for lost 
tom-tits to tango-teas for charwomen ! But I can 
afford to serve my country now. High time too ! 
It'll go to the dogs unless men of courage and deter- 
mination, of unflinching principle will come for- 
ward^ 

Dorothy (interriipting) . We're not the deputation, 
father. 

Robinson. I suppose I've the right to say what I 
like in my own house to my own daughters. 

Muriel. It's always " my, my, my ! " 

Robinson. What the devil — (then as if a light had 
suddenly dawned). Ha! Still harping on what you 
choose to call your grievances ! 

Dorothy. Look here, father, you must listen to 
us. You wouldn't the other day, you know. 

Robinson. No, nor will I now. 

Dorothy. Oh, father, it is so silly 

Robinson. Silly ! You dare to tell me that to 
my face ! 

Muriel (meaning to soothe him). Well, father, not 
to listen — just for five minutes. 

Robinson. Not to rubbish — even for one ! (speak- 
ing more gently). Now I'm busy, so run upstairs and 
make yourselves look nice for the deputation, 
t Dorothy (goes up to the table, and resting the palms 
of her hands on it, bends towards him). You've got to 
listen to this, father. We're tired of being just your 
possessions, of having no right to our own hves, nor 
yet to any thoughts and opinions that aren't yours. 
We might just as well be gramaphones ! 

Robinson. Gramaphones ! You — you 

Muriel. It's quite true, father. 

Robinson. W—w— what's true ? 



ONE OF THE OLD GUARD. 9 

Dorothy. That we're fed up, absolutely fed up, 
and that if you won't give way 

Robinson (springing to his feet). Give way ! I'm 
d — d if I do ! I told you the other day that I won't 
have any of this " rights for women " nonsense in my 
house. It's ruining the country, breaking up homes, 
subversing public morality, and making women the 
— er — the deuce. It's the sickly sentimentality of 
the age, the infernal softness of the men, the man- 
apeing women ! What are they coming to ? Des- 
troying churches, letters, golf-courses ! And now it's 
my own daughters defying me ! I won't have it. I 
won't have it ! Another word and (very masterfully) 
you can both of you leave my house. 

Dorothy. That's exactly what we're going to do. 

(Robinson gapes at them.) 

Muriel. And before the deputation comes. 

Robinson (quickly). You'll do nothing of the sort. 

Dorothy. Ah ! ' We're to do the pretty pretty ! 
To be the subdued but necessary female chorus ! 
" Votes for Robinson and women in their place ! " 

Muriel (ingratiatingly) . . You want us to help to get 
you into Parhament, don't you, father ? 

Robinson. Help me, indeed ! Nothing of the 
sort ! But I wish you to see the deputation, and 
that's enough. 

Dorothy. We're not going to ; we leave your house 
to-day, unless you agree to our terms. Now is that 
quite clear ? 

Muriel. We don't want to be nasty 

Robinson (furiously). I tell you, once and for all, 
that rn hear no more of this. I know what you're 
driving at. If you think you'll make me give way, 
you're very much mistaken, so the sooner you get 

that d d ridiculous idea of being a doctor out of your 

head, Dorothy, the better. No daughter of mine shall 
ever be ! Cutting people up, and knowing all about 



10= ONE OF THE OLD GUARD. 

their internal arrangements! It's revolting, dis- 
gusting, unwomanly ! 

Dorothy. Nurses do. 

Robinson. That's quite another matter. Nursing 
is essentially woman's work. 

Dorothy. Yes, it's too subordinate and — messy 
for men, isn't it ? 

Robinson. You're getting most infernally imper- 
tinent, Dorothy. I've a good mind to box your ears. 

Muriel (impartially). You gave that up a long 
time ago, I will say that for you. 

Robinson. You will say that for me! 

Dorothy. Now, look here, father, you've bulhed 
us these years 

Robinson. Bulhed you ! 

Dorothy. Oh, I don't think you meant to, but 
it's your idea of being a man, I suppose. 

Robinson. My God ! What next ? 

Dorothy (imperturhahly) . Now we mean to go 
our own way, even if there is a devil of a row. 

Muriel (uneasily). I say, not too strong, Doro- 
thy. 

Dorothy. So will you listen to what we have to 
say ? 

Robinson (sAow/s). No. To be spoken to like that 
in my own house by my own daughter ! 

Dorothy. That's the trouble. I am your daugh- 
ter. 

Robinson. So it's my fault that you're behaving 
in this abominably undutiful way ! (Pants heavily.) 
Will you have the kindness to leave the room ? 

Dorothy . All right , but it's nearly half-past eleven , 
and the deputation 

Robinson (controlling himself with an effort). Well, 
say what you've got to say and be quick about it. 
Not that it'll make any difference. I'm not the man 
to trim my sails to suit women's whims. (Sits at 
the table again.) 

Dorothy. I mean to be a doctor. It's my voca- 



ONE OF THE OLD GUARD. 11 

tion. Neither you nor anj^body has the right to stand 
between me and the work I was put into the world 
to do. 

Robinson (with dangerous quietness). And suppos- 
ing I refuse my consent — and money ? 

Dorothy. Then I leave this house to-day — and 
for good. 

Robinson (furionsly). If you do, I'll cut you off 
with a shilling. 

Muriel (distressed). Father, why are you so hard, 
so unreasonable ? Can't you see— — 

Robinson (to Dorothy, and disregarding Muriel). 
Now you've had your say, I'll have mine. 

Dorothy. We know it by heart. 

Muriel. Dorothy, don't ! 

Robinson. I decline to lose my temper. Now 
understand this. I utterly disapprove of these new- 
fangled notions that women have got into their 
heads, and no daughter of mine shall take up with 
them. It's ruining the country 

Dorothy. We've heard that before. 

Robinson. Hold your tongue ! Woman's place 
is the home. I've always said, and I'll stick to it. 

Dorothy. Must you ? 

Robinson (glaring ragefully). If I'm the last man 
m England who's man enough to do so. You think 
you can turn the world upside-down and go against 
all the fundamental principles of life. But you can't, 
and you shan't, with my consent. What's going to 
happen when all women are earning their living and 
competing with men, and taking the bread out of their 
mouths ? Who's going to look after the home, the 
husband, the children ? 

Muriel. The women who want to. There'll 
always be enough. 

Robinson. Then I don't agree with you. Besides, 
I disapprove of women having 

Dorothy. Minds of their own, and views of their 
own, and incomes they make for themselves. Once 



12 ONE OF THE OLD GUARD. 

women are economically free {snaps her fingers), that 
much for man's superiority. 

Robinson (dumbfounded). You mean to tell me 
that men are only superior to women because they 
make the money ? 

Dorothy. Yes. 

Robinson. And that from my own daughter ! 

Dorothy. Nasty, isn't it ? 

Robinson (recovering). You don't know what 
you're talking about. Why, there's not one single 
thing that women do that men can't do better if they 
choose. And where are your Beethovens, Shake- 
speares, Edisons ? 

Dorothy. Coming along presently. Your obsolete 
angels, chained to the hearths, hadn't much time for 
that sort of thing, you know. 

Robinson. And a good thing, too. They made 
splendid wives and mothers, and that's what women 
are for. They've no business in the labour-market. 
It lowers men's wages, and creates bad feeling between 
the sexes ; and no daughter of mine shall have part 
in it. Besides, you've got a comfortable, happy home, 
so why the deuce should you leave it ? Many women 
would be glad of its shelter and protection 

Dorothy. I'm- speaking for myself. 

Robinson. And thinking of yourself ? Selfishness 
is the most detestable vice. 

Dorothy. In a woman ? 

Robinson (heatedly). Look here, Dorothy 

Muriel (soothingly). She doesn't mean everything 
she says. 

Dorothy. Well, I mean to be a doctor. 

Robinson. You'U be nothing of the sort. You'll 
stay at home as every woman would, if I had my 
way. 

Dorothy (exasperated). Oh, father, you are so 
hopelessly out of date. Your ideas are positively 
mouldy. We're not our grandmothers. 
Robinson. A pity you aren't ? Your grand- 



ONE OF THE OLD GUARD. 13 

mother was a much better woman than ever you will 
be. 

Dorothy. She died young, didn't she ? {reflec- 
tively). I can just remember grandpapa. He was 
very like you. 

Robinson. You're — you're enough to make a 
saint lose his temper. I — I 

Dorothy. Well, the whole business is too sicken- 
ing. You want to sacrifice my happiness to fusty, 
old-fashioned prejudices that are as dead as Queen 
Anne. 

Robinson. What you choose to call fusty pre- 
judices are principles, sound, honest, unshakable. 

Dorothy. If you prefer your principles to your 



daughter 

Robinson. I do. Have you anything more to 
say ? 

(There is a pause. Dorothy looks meaningly at 
Muriel, who fidgets nervously.) 

Then there's an end to the matter. Give me a 
whisky and soda, Muriel. 

(Muriel does as she is asked.) 

Dorothy (maliciously, as Muriel hands the drink). 
That'll put some spirit into you ; I think you'll want it. 

Robinson (puts down the glass). What d'yoa 
mean ? 

Dorothy. Muriel will tell you. 

Muriel. Father 

Robinson (looking at his watch). I can't hsten to 
any more nonsense. It's getting on for twelve. 
Understand once and for all that I mean to be master 
in my house. Any more of this " advanced woman " 
tomfoolery, and I'll stop your allowances ; that'll 
bring you to your senses. 

Muriel. But it's nothing to do with being 
" advanced," father. 

Dorothy (laughing). It's frightfully old-fashioned. 



14 o:ne of the old guard. 

Muriel. I — I — only want to marry Cyril. 

Robinson. That painter fellow ! An effeminate 
young ass ! No money, and never will have. How's 
he going to support a wife, I should like to know ? 
Ha ! No prospects, no position. I told you the 
other day that I would never give my consent to a 
daughter of mine marrying a nincompoop and nobody 
hke that ! 

Muriel (indignantly). He isn't a nincompoop. 
He's very clever ; one of the rising painters. 

Robinson. Rising fiddlesticks ! He's not the 
son-in-law for a man in my position. No morals, 
no principles, I'll be bound. No. From every 
point of view he's impossible. 

Muriel. Not from mine, father. 

Robinson. What on earth can you see in the 
fellow ? 

Muriel. I love him. 

Robinson. Love ! A girl of your age doesn't 
know the meaning of the word. Now there's young 
Lord Farringford. 

Dorothy. Soap and glory ! 

Robinson [pointedly disregarding the interruption). 
He's a good-looking young fellow of position, and 
able to keep a wife. 

Dorothy. Or a racing-stud, or anvthing that is 
his! 

Robinson (violently and exasperated). Perhaps 
you'll kindly mind your own business, and leave me 
to mind mine. 

Muriel. But it is mine whom I marry. You 
don't seem to see that, so perhaps you better know 
at once that Lm engaged to Cyril, and that I mean to 
marry him. 

Robinson. If you do, I'll cut you off with a 
shilling. My daughter the wife of a penniless painter ! 

Muriel. Very well, then I shall leave your house 
too for good to-day, and your silly old deputation can 
go to the — devil. 



ONE OF THE OLD GUARD. 15 

(Mrs. Robinson comes in softly.) 

Robinson (slowly). My — silly old deputation — 
can go — to the devil ! {Sees Mrs. Robinson.) That's 
the sort of language, Madam, your daughters use to. 
their father. 

Mrs. Robinson. They've never heard it from me,. 
Henry. 

Robinson. Humph ! Ha ! Weh, that's neither 
here nor there. But I don't know what's come over 
the girls. Insulting and defying me ! These Suffra- 
gettes, I suppose. But I won't have it, I won't have 
it. I'm one of the old Guard 

Dorothy. For the preservation of masculine 
privileges. 

Robinson. And why not ? At least, it used to be 
one of men's proudest privileges to work for women. 

Dorothy. And keep them in cages, whether they 
would or not ? 

Robinson. Well, they were cared for ; they didn't 
starve 

Dorothy. Not their bodies, perhaps, but their 
souls 

Robinson. They're more likely to starve, body 
and soul, out in the hard, pitiless world than in a 
sheltered home. 

Muriel. But that's just where I want to be, father. 

Robinson. With that milk-and-water jacka- 
napes ! You and your sister are behaving Hke perfect 
fools. It's a good thing you've got somebody to 
protect you from yourselves. 

Mrs. Robinson. Then you won't give way, 
Henry ? 

Robinson. No. I don't change my principles at 
the dictation of my daughters. (Changes his tone.) 
Now run upstairs like good girls, and get ready ; the 
deputation will be here shortly. 

Muriel and Dorothy (together). We won't. 

Robinson. You won't ! 



16 ONE OF THE OLD GUARD. 

Dorothy. No. 

(Robinson is about to burst into a rage again, but 
Mrs. Robinson raises a protesting hand.) 

Mrs. Robinson. Just one minute. Henry. (To 
the girls.) I want to speak to your father — pri- 
vately. 

Dorothy. But, mother — — 

Mrs. Robinson [smiling wanly). You needn't be 
afraid. Now go, please. 

(They go out of the room with obvious reluctance. 
Muriel, as she passes her mother, catches her hand and 
squeezes it quickly. Robinson, biting his fingers, 
stands watching.) 

Robinson (peremptorily, when the door is closed). 
What have you to say, Mary ? 

Mrs. Robinson. Will you try and Hsten quietly — 
please ? It won't be very easy to say- 

Robinson. Listen quietly when those daughters 
of yours — it's a pity you didn't bring them up better — 
have been irritating me past all bearing ? And just 
at the time when I particularly wished to be— er — 
er — — 

Mrs. Robinson. I quite understand. But if you 
could be calm, just for a few minutes. Time's getting 
on. 

Robinson. Oh, all right ! Let's have it out, 
though the very devil's in you all to-day. (Sits 
down with the air of a martyr.) 
'■ Mrs. Robinson (draws a chair up to the table beside 
him). Henry, I ask you for my sake to let the girls 
do as they wish — please ! Don't stand in the way of 
their happiness. It isn't right. 

Robinson (fidgets uneasily). It's a question of 
hfelong conviction and principle. You don't under- 
stand that. Women never do ; that's why I say 
they've no business in pubHc life ! 



ONE OF THE OLD GUARD. 17 

Mrs. Robinson. Nobody has the right to impose 
their principles on other people, and perhaps ruin 
their lives. 

Robinson (springing to his feet). Then you're 
in league against me too ! 

Mrs. Robinson. It's my children ! I can't stand 
by and see them made unhappy. 

Robinson. You of all people defying my authority ! 

Mrs. Robinson. Oh, I didn't want to. It's not 
for myself. I — I don't like doing it. Oh, do, do be 
sensible ! It's so hateful, all this. 

Robinson (violently). By God, I won't ! Beaten 
by women, by my own wife and daughters ! Wom.en 
are trying to get the whip hand, and once they do, the 
country, will go to the dogs. A pretty state of 
things ! 

Mrs. Robinson (sighs heavily). Oh, why can't you 
understand that things have changed since we were 
young ? You're trying to put back the hands of the 
clock. It's no good, and only makes us all unhappy. 
Do be sensible — and kind. After all, they're your 
own children. 

Robinson. That's just it. I know what's good 
for them better than they do themselves. 

Mrs. Robinson. Then you won't give in ? 

Robinson. No. 

Mrs. Robinson (ptds her arm on his sleeve in 
entreaty). Oh, Henry 

(Robinson moves away.) 

Mrs. Robinson. Then I must take the law into 
my own hands. 

Robinson (stupefied and speaking slowly). You — 
take the law 

Mrs Robinson. The income from the money that 
Uncle James has just left me shall be divided 
between Dorothy and Muriel. 

Robinson. W — w — what d'you say ? 



18 ONE OF THE OLD GUARD. 

Mrs. Robinson. That will make them indepen- 
dent. 

Robinson (striding up and down the room). And 
what about my parliamentary expenses ? They'll 
sure to be heavy. Beesbridge is a notoriously wob- 
bling constituency. 

Mrs. Robinson. I'm very sorry, but I'm afraid 
you'll have to manage without it. You can econo- 
mize by reducing your racing stud, or 

Robinson. I shall spend my money as I choose. 

Mrs. Robinson [with gentle firmness) . And I, mine. 

(Dorothy putting her head in the door.) 

Dorothy. The deputation is coming up the steps I 

Robinson (savagely). Damnation ! (hites his fin- 
gers). Then you mean to go against my expressed 
wishes. Take care, Mary ! 

Mrs. Robinson (distressed). No, no ! But I know 
what it means. I can't let my daughters go through 
it. I had no money (pauses, then goes on as if 
oblivious for the moment of him). I had never been 
taught to earn a living. I loved somebody else, but I 

had to (stops short, horrified, realizing what she is 

saying) . 

Robinson (very quietly). You had to ? 

Mrs. Robinson. Oh, Henry, I didn't mean to say 
that. I didn't want to hurt you. It — it slipped out. 

Robinson. You had to marry me against your 
wishes ? 

Mrs. Robinson (more than ever distressed). Oh, 
but I'm used to you now, Henry. 

Robinson. Used to mfe ! (after a pause). And 
that after all these years together ! And I loved 
you, Mary. 

Mrs. Robinson (sighs). Yes, in your own way I 
know you did. 

Robinson (irritably). Well, of course. How else ? 
But women are the deuce. 



ONE OF THE OLD GUARD. 19 

Mrs. Robinson. They had to be, but they won't 
much longer. 

Robinson. What d'you mean ? 

Mrs. Robinson. It's not good for men that women 
should be their absolute property. 

Robinson. You a new woman, too ! 

Mrs. Robinson (with a flicker of a smile). Oh, no ! 
It's too late ! (Robinson stares, at her as if an 
astonishing truth had flashed upon him.) 

Robinson [as if to himself). Men's absolute pro- 
perty ! Too late ! (After a pause.) Well, let the 
girls have their way (with a return of the old manner). 
But it's the last time, mind (after a pause, and as 
if to reassert his supremacy). And I'll have nothing 
to do with " Votes for Women." 



Curtain. 



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